I finally had the chance to see “Hamilton” Thursday!!! The battle to score two tickets was ridiculous! I had to enter a lotto system through the host theater and keep my fingers crossed my email address was even drawn to ATTEMPT to purchase tickets the day tickets were released. That’s right, the lotto didn’t guarantee anything, but the chance to be on the ticket site when tickets went on sale. Apparently having a lotto system and a 4 ticket purchase limit minimizes the chance of scalpers scoring tickets.

Since I’m obsessed with musicals & try to not miss a show at Shea’s, I obviously entered multiple emails and lucky enough, one of the three emails was drawn! After the ticket site crashing multiple times, and having to wait about 15-20 minutes to even check out once my tickets were in my cart, I was lucky enough to score two balcony tickets for the December 6th show at Shea’s in Buffalo,NY.

​After all the drama to land tickets, I’m sure you are all wondering, was it worth it? Did It Live Up To The Hype? Or did all that political nonsense really lead to the ticket sales and the show was just “ok”? Keep on reading to find out!

Plot

Like every other city, Buffalo played its part in the frenzy surrounding “Hamilton.” Legacy is the central theme of Hamilton which has landed this smashing hit 11 Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize!

Basically, the musical chronicles the life of Alexander Hamilton, America’s first Treasury Secretary, set to a hip-hop backdrop. It sounds crazy, but it works because the show’s arsenal of effects is simply overwhelming. The lyrics drive the narrative, the rap gives energy to the lyrics, and the dancers double the effect by adding a visual complement to the pulsing soundscape.

“Hamilton" has everything: Love triangles, political intrigue, deadly duels and a petulant King George, played as a red-faced toddler on the verge of a tantrum.

​Perhaps the greatest gift is how touchingly familiar and human “Hamilton” makes the men and women who helped shape America seem! So unlike the cold faces under powdered wigs in portrait galleries & our dollar bills.They were ordinary people who, against all odds, fought against the whims of a king to achieve not only a legacy, but greatness together! That's history worth remembering.

Opinion

I get it!​The hype, the reviews that include words like "phenomenon," "revolutionary" and "thrilling." The crazy ticket sales and the lotto systems for a chance to score them. After seeing Thursday night's performance at Shea’s,I get it!

​The show is a non-stop, electric spectacle that hits the gas immediately and doesn't take its foot off the pedal until the final curtain call. There's no dialogue, only song-after-song, rap battle after rap battle. You find yourself desperately trying to process every word before it speeds on to the next, while being captivated by the choreography that turns a simple stage with a rotating center into a front-row seat to history. The incredible structure of the show makes it feel effortless, even though I couldn't stop thinking about how much effort has to be made in order for it to have that effect.

​You also find yourself forgetting you're watching the story of one of the country's founding fathers and become fixated on the story of a man battling the weight of his own pressure for greatness, while trying to fight the demons and temptations waiting to derail him along the way.

What Lin-Manuel Miranda did to a fascinating chapter in our history books is truly awe-inspiring. Taking the complexities of war, a developing nation and the interesting characters who inspired it all and telling their story through hip-hop, rap and yes, 21st century humor and lingo, takes "Hamilton" from a musical to a full-blown experience. If you have the chance to see “Hamilton”, do it! I promise it’s worth all the ticket hassle! I would do it all over in a heartbeat.

Let’s Chat!

Have you had the chance to see Hamilton? What’s your favorite musical?

This past Sunday we took a little drive out to one of our favorite places, The Peek n’ Peak, to take care of a few details to do with hubby’s work holiday party. Rooms are officially booked and I can’t wait to spend the weekend with the people my hubby spends his days with when not in my presence.

On our way home hubby took a turn and I was like omg! He’s taking us to Pine Junction for lunch. WooHoo!!!This has been a restaurant I have been dying to go to again so I could snap a few photos to share with y’all! It’s THAT fab and I wanted to be able to ramble on and on about it! So happy I was able to stuff my face with deliciousness while checking those photos off of my do-do list. Such a great #SundayFunday.

Pine Junction

Before my daughter was born, Pine Junction was the place to go after you spent the day on the slopes at The Peek n’ Peak. Great food, awesome drinks and live music on the weekends. These days, Pine Junction makes a fabulous place for a family dinner. One of those places I love to take people from out of town since the decor is straight up wood cabin, county chic! Always a hit!

Drinks

One of my favorite things about Pine Junction just happens to be the Beer Flights! I’m usually a wine girl , but when at Pine Junction I like to feel cool with a beer flight since they are pretty affordable! Only $8 and you get 4 decent sized beers of your choice.

Now, I’m not going to lie, this is probably the most unadventurous beer flight of all times, but it sure was yummy! Angry Orchard, Blue Moon, Blueberry & Yuengling. I never had an Angry Orchard with cinnamon & sugar sprinkled on top. Beyond delicious. I will be ordering all my cider beers like this for now on.

Menu

Now for the part you all have been waiting for, the menu!! Steaks, burgers, sandwiches, wings, pulled pork and my favorite chili!!!! Something for everyone. They also have a normal kids menu too. If you have been a The Trophy WifeStyle reader for awhile, then you know we are always on the hunt for normal kids menus. While I wish my daughter at kale, she’s more of a grilled cheese kind of gal & Pine Junction passed the Grilled Cheese test.

As I mention above, the chili is my favorite!!! After a long day of skiing, I love to order a bowl of chili loaded with cheese and onion! Since I was craving wings this past Sunday, I went with a cup as a starter.

If you’re a wing lover, you must try the wings! Hubby and I both ordered wings. Nothing better than an ice cold beer and wings on a football Sunday. The wings are a tad bit different, in a great way, compared to those dinky wings you get at a pizza shop. Super crispy, super big AND super yummy!

The steaks are pretty yummy as well. If I’m at Pine Junction on a Steak Fry night, that’s my meal of choice. I also love the pulled pork when in a bbq mood.

Let’s Chat!

This past Saturday we took our Pomsky pup, Abby Cadabby on the longest walk of her life!!! A mile and a half long walk around Chautauqua Institution for all the fur babies at the Chautauqua County Humane Society during the Walk for Paws!

To be fair, we adopted Abby Cadabby in September. (If you missed our Puppy Announcement, get filled in!) She’s still an itty bitty puppy & a family newbie. So it’s not like we deprive our sweet furbaby of the great outdoors, we just haven’t gotten around to those long walks. It’s cold here in NY! I’m sure in the spring when Abby is a tad bit bigger & not so lazy & lap-dog like, those walks will be a fabulous way for me to get my butt in shape while giving Abby a taste of the great outdoors.

Walk 4 Paws

The Walk 4 Paws is our local Humane Societies largest fundraiser of the year!! You sign up as an individual or you can form a team. We walked under The Trophy WifeStyle this year! That’s right, we formed a team! Once you sign up and fundraise for the Chautauqua County Humane Society, you and your dog walk a mile and a half at Chautauqua Institution. This year all the participants were able to contribute over $30,000!!! WooHoo!!!

​Thankfully the weather was pretty fab for a fall day! It was chilly, but the sun was out and the rain stopped just long enough for us to start and finish the walk. I swear right when we got to our cars to leave after the walk, the rain came. Perfect timing.

I was also pretty proud of my 6 year old daughter & 4 month old puppy! Both made it about 85% of the way before they started to get sluggish. That’s huge for a puppy still learning to walk on a leash and a 6 year old who is in physical therapy!

Costume Contest

The Wak 4 Paws also has a fun costume contest!!!! My daughter and I are all about themes, so of course Abby Cadabby HAD to dress as a unicorn. She didn’t win, but it was still fun to shop for a costume and have her strut her stuff at the event.

Let’s Chat!

Ahhhhh fall!!!! I may not be a fan of the cooler weather. #ForeverAFloridaGirl , but I do love fall activities!!! Fall is filled with so much family fun, I almost forget how miserable I get once the temps go below 60 degrees.

This past weekend was the first weekend of the Peek'n Peak Fall Festival. We have been going every year since my daughter was one, so it has become a yearly family tradition! Definitely one of the better fall festivals in the area for sure!

Save The Dates: Oct. 20-21, 2018

​Celebrate Fall at the 31st Annual Fall Fest at Peek'n Peak Resort! Two weekends full of fall fun in the foothills of Western New York. Brilliant foliage sets the scene for a juried craft show with more than 130 vendors and a farmers' market beside activities like the pumpkin cannon, children's games, petting zoo, live entertainment, pony rides, ski lift rides, classic car cruise-in and an annual snowsports equipment swap!

Make sure to come plenty hungry and thirsty because the Peek'n Peak Fall Festival is filled with all sorts of goodies! A beer tent filled with brews and wine and even a fried dough stand!!! If you are in the mood for a real meal, tons of lunch and dinner options as well :)

Have the kiddos with you?! You can purchase entertainment tickets for $1 a piece and your kiddos can enjoy activities such as bounce houses, pony rides, train rides and more!!! You can even enjoy a carriage ride FOR FREE!

Let’s Chat!

Have you attended a Fall Festival before? Have you had a chance to visit Peekn’ Peak?

Going to a pumpkin patch and taking those insta-worthy photos is always on that fall bucket list! While I’m thankful we even have pumpkin patches here in WNY, the ones we have had the pleasure of roaming the past few years were just ok! Nothing fancy. Just pumpkins, jump pillows, goats to pet and corn kernels to roll around in. After like 30 minutes you are beyond ready to leave and scheming up ways to pull your kiddo out of the corn kernel pit.

When I spotted a Facebook ad last week about the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, NY (buffalo) I was intrigued! They claimed amusement rides, haunted houses, food vendors, even a bar! The Great Pumpkin Farm looked to be a place for all ages! Something for everyone besides the wannabe Insta-models posing with pumpkins and toddlers swimming in corn.

The Great Pumpkin Farm

The Great Pumpkin Farm started out in 1996 by hosting the World Pumpkin Weigh-off. The Great Pumpkin Farm ended up in the Guinness World Book of Records for the first 1,000-pound pumpkin! From there, the Pumpkin Farm grew each year to include more signature events, rides and attractions and, today, it’s one of Western New York’s signature fall events!

This year The Great Pumpkin Farm is home to a Hay maze, Petting Zoo, Boo Barn, Playground, shop & bakery, Witches Brew Bar, Food Venders, and many rides and attractions! The best way to describe The Great Pumpkin Farm is to call it a fair with signature pumpkin patch activities! Adminssion is Free weekdays and $8 on weekends. Check the schedule to make sure the attraction you are most excited is open the day you are trying to make your trip!

Full Bar!

The Great Pumpkin Farm is home to TWO bars! That’s right TWO! I was pretty excited when I heard this, so the first thing we did was grab a cider beer then headed to the playground! Mama could care less how long you’re playing with a drink in her hand.

Looking for a date night idea?!? Head to the Witches Brew Bar for a craft beer or even a specialty halloween drink before heading out the the rides and pumpkins!!! I would love it if hubby planned an evening like that for me. A girl can dream.

Traditional Activities

Just like every other pumpkin patch in the word, The Great Pumpkin Farm has all the traditional activities like Hay Rides, The Cow Train, Pillow Jumper, Animals. All included in your weekend admission price. Weekdays, some of these activities may cost you a fee.

Photo Opts

The Great Pumpkin Farm definitely wins the award for most photographable pumpkin farm in WNY! So much artwork to pose in front of and soooooo many pumpkin setups! I wish it would have been a colder day (did I really just say that!) so I could have been dressed falltastic & not sweating to death in 80 degree heat. I would have loved a cute fall styled photo opt!

Pumpkins

Choose your family favorite pumpkin to take home from the unique display of ZILLIONS of pumpkins. Don’t forget your stalks, gourds and mums to decorate your home for Halloween!

Amusment Rides

Catch a ride on a Carousel, the Ferris Wheel or one of the other favorite family rides at the Midway! This midway is legit like a fair!!! I even spotted one of those saucer type rides that tips you upside down!!

Have you you ever wanted to shoot a zombie? Give Zombie Paint Ball a try! Pony Rides are always a favorite of my daughters so you best believe we checked out the pony after taking getting our thrills from the midway!!!!

Worth The Drive?

I think it’s safe to say we were blown away with The Great Pumpkin Farm! I will admit that I never took the chance to visit a pumpkin farm before I was a mom, so I only have two other farms to compare it to. Those other two have nothing on The Great Pumpkin Farm. Honestly, one of them costs more and has not even a quarter of the activities The Great Pumpkin Farm has. So much to do for all ages! We really had the best afternoon. I’m still on cloud nine today because of all the family fun we had. Beyond happy I decided to make the hour+ journey to check a new place out. So worth the long drive. New yearly tradition. Next year we will be bringing others with us to join in on the good ole family fun!

Let’s Chat!

welcome

CourtneyLynne is former model turned mommy & wifey! When not blogging all things foodie, fashion, travel, mom life & straight up fabulousness to the masses, she can be found chasing her toddler around in 6in stilettos & laughing at her own jokes her glass of wine told her to tell.